Tourists from the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy travelling to Vietnam will continue to enjoy visa exemptions for the next three years, until June 30, 2021, the Vietnam News Agency reports.

Vietnam first offered visa waivers to citizens from the five European countries in July 2015 and will extend the policy when it expires at the end of June.

The number of tourists from these countries has soared in recent years, with 720,000 in 2015, 855,000 in 2016, and 1.5 million in 2017.

Foreign arrivals exceeded 6.7 million in the first five months of this year, up 27.6 per cent year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office. Visitors from Europe rose 11.8 per cent year-on-year, with those from France up 13.1 per cent, the UK 9.6 per cent, Germany 8.5 per cent, and Italy 18.3 per cent.

Vietnam has among the strictest visa policies in Asia, currently offering waivers to visitors from just 24 countries and territories, including ASEAN members.

Foreign arrivals to Vietnam surpassed 6.7 million in the first five months of this year, up 27.6 per cent year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office.

E-visas are also available to people from 46 countries and territories.

The government is also considering a proposal from the Vietnam Tourism Association on extending the maximum duration of stays on visa exemptions from 15 to 30 days and to include more countries.